Story number 1 for 7 Feb 2003

(China)–Topping the news, the Voice of the Martyrs says a top-secret document they’ve recently obtained proves the Chinese government wants to destroy unregistered churches. VOM’s Gary Lane says the document instructs the local officials to terminate “illegal Protestant activities”. “The Chinese government has an ongoing, systematic campaign to infiltrate, and then eradicate, eliminate unregistered evangelical churches in China. This is a document that is really a work plan for Hebei province, which is the largest province in China.” Lane says under the plan’s provisions, churches can expect more aggression. “Christians in that area have to be on guard that they are targets, there are government spies. The directive was dated August 20,2002, and it said that a secret force would be established to infiltrate unregistered church groups in that area.” Lane urges prayer for the continued work of unregistered churches.